Manhunt for girl's killer stretches into second day

VALLEY SPRINGS — The manhunt for a killer stretched into its second day Sunday as authorities continued to search through a rustic neighborhood where an 8-year-old girl was killed in her home by somebody authorities believe was an intruder.

VALLEY SPRINGS — The manhunt for a killer stretched into its second day Sunday as authorities continued to search through a rustic neighborhood where an 8-year-old girl was killed in her home by somebody authorities believe was an intruder.

Authorities said they hadn’t identified a suspect, but they released the name of the victim as Leila Fowler, a student at nearby Jenny Lind Elementary School.

As the tight school community prepares to grieve the loss of one of its own, officials said there will be a police presence at the school and bus stops where children wait to help put people at ease if the school day begins without a suspect being apprehended.

“We have plans in place, so that if we are not able to solve this case, that we’re able to protect the kids and the schools to the best extent possible,” said Jim Macedo, a captain with the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators have collected a substantial amount of evidence from the crime scene at the Rippon Road home, including fingerprints and “what we believe to be DNA,” Macedo said at a Sunday afternoon news conference. The three descriptions of the suspect are not entirely consistent, he said, but added that authorities are looking for a white or Latino male who was wearing a black shirt and blue pants.

The girl was found by her 12-year-old brother, who said he had been surprised by an intruder in the home, Macedo said.

There’s a candlelight vigil planned Tuesday night at Jenny Lind Elementary School, and it’s anticipated people will be tying purple and black ribbons on a fence at the school as a memorial. They were Leila’s favorite colors.

Read Monday's Record for more on this story by reporter Zachary K. Johnson.